Ramp (Settle) or not? Need to Relax!

[terrydk]

After doing really good the first couple of nights I am now having difficulty falling asleep. I think what is happening is just as I am falling asleep the pressure is disturbing my breathing pattern enough that it wakes be back up, very frustrating. I have tried several different 'Settle' times but it doesn't really seam to help anything. I am puzzled as to why I did good the first couple of nights but now am having so much problem, I suppose it could be stress related with everything that is going on this time of year. I have tried getting up and waiting a while until I was good and sleepy but that didn't work last night either. I am finding that I don't really like the smell of the plastic that comes from the machine, hose and mask, anyone have any success with the aromatherapy scents to help with this? I think my biggest problem is just relaxing when I got the mask on which I am finding is not easy, not for me anyway.

[KatieW]

After doing really good the first couple of nights I am now having difficulty falling asleep. I think what is happening is just as I am falling asleep the pressure is disturbing my breathing pattern enough that it wakes be back up, very frustrating. I have tried several different 'Settle' times but it doesn't really seam to help anything. I am puzzled as to why I did good the first couple of nights but now am having so much problem, I suppose it could be stress related with everything that is going on this time of year. I have tried getting up and waiting a while until I was good and sleepy but that didn't work last night either. I am finding that I don't really like the smell of the plastic that comes from the machine, hose and mask, anyone have any success with the aromatherapy scents to help with this? I think my biggest problem is just relaxing when I got the mask on which I am finding is not easy, not for me anyway.

Sometimes sleep problems are caused by other things going in our lives, rather than the cpap. This certainly is a stressful time of year for many.

Are you running on cpap (fixed pressure) or apap (auto adjusting), and at what pressures? Are you using EPR (exhale relief)? What was your titration pressure?

I have the S8 Autoset II like you. I set it on cpap pressure of 10.2 cmH2O. My settle (ramp) is 5 minutes at 9 cmH2O, with an EPR of 2 all the time. I tried various combinations, before finding that this is what works best for me.

I haven't used the aromatherapy scents, but I know others here enjoy them.

[terrydk]

After doing really good the first couple of nights I am now having difficulty falling asleep. I think what is happening is just as I am falling asleep the pressure is disturbing my breathing pattern enough that it wakes be back up, very frustrating. I have tried several different 'Settle' times but it doesn't really seam to help anything. I am puzzled as to why I did good the first couple of nights but now am having so much problem, I suppose it could be stress related with everything that is going on this time of year. I have tried getting up and waiting a while until I was good and sleepy but that didn't work last night either. I am finding that I don't really like the smell of the plastic that comes from the machine, hose and mask, anyone have any success with the aromatherapy scents to help with this? I think my biggest problem is just relaxing when I got the mask on which I am finding is not easy, not for me anyway.

Sometimes sleep problems are caused by other things going in our lives, rather than the cpap. This certainly is a stressful time of year for many.

Are you running on cpap (fixed pressure) or apap (auto adjusting), and at what pressures? Are you using EPR (exhale relief)? What was your titration pressure?

I have the S8 Autoset II like you. I set it on cpap pressure of 10.2 cmH2O. My settle (ramp) is 5 minutes at 9 cmH2O, with an EPR of 2 all the time. I tried various combinations, before finding that this is what works best for me.

I haven't used the aromatherapy scents, but I know others here enjoy them.

'Auto' mode with low setting at 10cm and high setting at 15cm w/ EPR set at 2.

[Muse-Inc]

You might try a different mask...I heartily recommend the RespCare Hybrid fullface mask because I find it really comfortable & more than a few of us wear this mask. it covers the mouth, has nasal pillows, does not cover the nose, does not touch the forehead.

As to the scent, did you soak everything for 30-45 minutes before using? Might try it now. Might also spray with white vinegar (the cheap stuff) and let sit 2-3 mins to remove all soap residues, then rinse very very well before air drying.

I don't know what you were titrated at or what your pressures have been but the general recommendation is to set your initial (low) pressure 2-3 below your titrated pressure. Example: I was titrated at 11, re-set to 9 by sleep doc after collecting 5 nights of data, and now have my AutoSet range at 6.4-15 with EPR=1...my 95thcentile is typically below 11 with typical AIs=0-<1.5 and AHI=<2.

[flylow]

try watching the tv with the mask on or reading a book. The idea would be to acclimate to it while not trying to fall asleep. I would also continue to use the ramp (from 7 or 8 cm) until you feel you no longer need it. You may even want to drop your low pressure setting to 9 until you get used to it all.

[terrydk]

try watching the tv with the mask on or reading a book. The idea would be to acclimate to it while not trying to fall asleep. I would also continue to use the ramp (from 7 or 8 cm) until you feel you no longer need it. You may even want to drop your low pressure setting to 9 until you get used to it all.

I had very good results with the Quattro mask during the sleep study so I will stick with it for a while and not try changing too many things at once, I think I have some other options yet to try. I hadn't heard of soaking the equipment for a while and the white vinegar sounds like a good idea also.

Is the 'ramp' or 'settle' pressure adjustable separate from the low pressure setting? In this case my low setting is 10cm and thats what the 'settle' pressure is showing.

[DoriC]

Many people are more sensitive to pressure changes in auto mode and do better with a single pressure as is the case with my husband.

[KatieW]

Is the 'ramp' or 'settle' pressure adjustable separate from the low pressure setting? In this case my low setting is 10cm and thats what the 'settle' pressure is showing.

If using apap, the ramp/settle is the Minimum--your low pressure setting. Your apap waits until your settle period is over, then starts adjusting pressure.

With a Minimum of 10, and EPR of 2, then you are exhaling at a pressure of 8cm during ramping/settling.

You can set the EPR to 3 options of: off, during ramp/settle only, or full-time (during therapy and ramp/settle).

[JohnBFisher]

... After doing really good the first couple of nights I am now having difficulty falling asleep. ...

That's pretty normal. You were somewhat sleep deprived before. Now you are not as physically sleepy, so notice more.

... I think what is happening is just as I am falling asleep the pressure is disturbing my breathing pattern enough that it wakes be back up, very frustrating. I have tried several different 'Settle' times but it doesn't really seam to help anything. ...

You might want to try watching TV or reading or listening to music with your mask on. Get used to having it on and let it become boring. That might make it easier for you to fall asleep with it.

... I am puzzled as to why I did good the first couple of nights but now am having so much problem, I suppose it could be stress related with everything that is going on this time of year. ...

You think stress might interfere with sleep?

[jbf ducks for cover to escape the incoming book hurled his way!]

... I have tried getting up and waiting a while until I was good and sleepy but that didn't work last night either. ...

It's good to avoid just laying there. Get up. Read a book, listen to music, etc. Stick with boring if possible.

... I am finding that I don't really like the smell of the plastic that comes from the machine, hose and mask... ...

Fortunately "that too shall pass". That new smell does lessen over time. You might try to use a mild soap to help decrease the new plastic smell.

... I think my biggest problem is just relaxing when I got the mask on which I am finding is not easy, not for me anyway.

WHAT? YOU FEEL A LITTLE STRESSED? FEELING UPTIGHT!?

Why would you feel that way when you just made a huge change in your life, and are in the middle of one of the most traumatic times of the year? That makes no sense. Everyone else is nice an calm this time of the year. No worries. We're just in deep chill.

Yeah, right! I've also got a great piece of water front real estate.



It's not too wet!

So, hang in there. You seem to be making good progress. It takes some time to adjust. Don't sweat the details. Just sit back and enjoy the journey.

[flylow]

Is the 'ramp' or 'settle' pressure adjustable separate from the low pressure setting? In this case my low setting is 10cm and thats what the 'settle' pressure is showing.

If using apap, the ramp/settle is the Minimum--your low pressure setting. Your apap waits until your settle period is over, then starts adjusting pressure.

I didn't realize that since I don't use the settling feature. I did for the 1st week of cpap on the respironics fixed cpap. I would then lower the low pressure setting for the first week or so and then either go back to the original low pressure setting or to where the data leads you.